Chelsea
Enzo Maresca Raised as a Serious Candidate to Replace Pep Guardiola
Manchester City are reported to consider Enzo Maresca among leading options to replace Guardiola….
Reports suggest Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has entered Manchester City’s succession conversation as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola. Per The Athletic, the Chelsea boss is described as “high among the candidates” Manchester City are considering to fill the gap Guardiola will leave at the Etihad when he eventually steps down.
Guardiola lauded Maresca earlier this season, calling him “one of the best managers in the world.” That public praise has fed speculation that the current Chelsea coach could be viewed internally as a viable long-term option for City.
Despite signing an extension that runs until the summer of 2027, there is “a growing anticipation” that Guardiola could call it quits at the end of the current campaign. This season marks Guardiola’s 10th at Manchester City; he previously managed four years in Catalonia and three at Bayern Munich, doubling his longest spell at a single club.
Guardiola explained how he felt compelled to continue at City in November 2024 to help steer the club out of a dire run of form. The decline accelerated in the short term before he oversaw a third-place finish, two points above Maresca’s Chelsea, and a run to the FA Cup final. Reports add that any final decision on Guardiola’s future is likely to be delayed until the end of the campaign, consistent with the coach’s history of operating on one-year rolling contracts.
The timing of the story coincides with a challenging period for Maresca at Stamford Bridge. The Italian admitted to experiencing the “worst 48 hours” of his Chelsea tenure after perceived signals of a lack of faith from unnamed parties. Contact with the club’s co-sporting directors and owners has been described as limited, leaving his immediate future uncertain.
Chelsea have Maresca under contract until 2029, and that deal includes a one-year extension clause. While Maresca’s Chelsea agreement is lengthy, the reports note that appetite to continue is not guaranteed on either side as the season progresses.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s fringe players fall short in five-goal draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim
Chelsea’s youth-heavy side drew 3-3 with JDT, as Delap scored twice but questions remained.
Chelsea ended their Asian preseason tour with a 3-3 draw against Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim on Sunday, a result that left several fringe players still searching for a convincing statement.
The opening period was shaky, but Liam Delap levelled matters before the interval after winning and converting a penalty with a powerful finish. Jamie Gittens then earned another spot-kick on the hour, and Delap dispatched that too. Even so, JDT responded quickly, with a deflected free kick striking Delap and looping beyond Gabriel Slonina.
Chelsea were then nearly beaten by Bérgson’s low drive, before an own goal arrived after Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross to spare them late frustration.
Xabi Alonso selected a very young side, though Tosin Adarabioyo, aged 28, was still used in the centre of a three-man defence. He was the senior figure in the team, but the match did little to support that role. Tosin looked uneasy in a high line, failed to track the JDT move that led to the opening goal, and later lost his composure in an exchange with Kevin Medina, who had also impressed against Chelsea towards the end of 2025.
The armband went to 21-year-old Dário Essugo instead, underlining the youth of the team. Up front, the contest offered Delap and Nicolas Jackson another chance to show where they fit in a squad that now appears to have one spot left alongside João Pedro, with Emegha injured.
Delap’s two penalties were strong, but the broader impression was of an opportunity not fully taken. Jackson was tidier in possession and looked more settled in Alonso’s structure, yet he too failed to meet expectations.
Chelsea’s discipline also looked fragile. Last season’s concerns had prompted moves for Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, although neither featured here. Without those calmer heads, Chelsea appeared tense and were repeatedly dragged into confrontations, something Alonso would have wanted to avoid.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s Controlled Win Over AC Milan Offers Early Alonso Clues
Chelsea beat AC Milan 3-0 in Jakarta, with Alonso’s 3-4-2-1, Palestra and set pieces standing out.
Chelsea resumed their preseason with a convincing 3-0 victory over AC Milan in Jakarta on Saturday, a result that offered a clearer glimpse of Xabi Alonso’s thinking as his first summer in charge develops.
The key stretch came immediately after the interval. Pedro finished from close range just 30 seconds into the second half to double the advantage, before Moisés Caicedo added a volley from a corner in the 50th minute to put the game beyond reach.
Overall, it was a composed display from Chelsea, who return to action in less than 24 hours against Malaysian outfit Johor Darul Ta’zim. More importantly, the match hinted at how Alonso may choose to shape his side. While a 4-2-3-1 has been used up to this point, this contest brought the first look at the 3-4-2-1 that brought him success at Bayer Leverkusen.
That system gave the attack a smoother edge in the first half, with Pedro, Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck combining well. It also appeared to suit a back line built around three natural center backs, with Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong all on the pitch together.
The setup also allowed Marco Palestra to underline why Chelsea moved for him this summer. Operating from the left side of midfield, he pushed forward constantly and drifted into central areas, showing the versatility that stood out during his signing.
On the opposite side, Pedro Neto started and contributed well, including the cross that helped create Chelsea’s second goal. Geovany Quenda later came on for Neto and linked up neatly with Palestra, reinforcing the range of options available if Alonso keeps this shape.
Acheampong was another clear beneficiary. Playing on the right of the back three against Rafael Leão, he delivered a strong performance, capped by an excellent first-half challenge to stop the winger.
Chelsea also made their mark from set pieces, scoring twice from corners, something Austin MacPhee will have noted with satisfaction.
Chelsea
Alonso points to Chelsea’s goalkeeping depth amid Costa links
Alonso says Chelsea are happy with Sánchez, Penders and Sharman-Lowe despite Diogo Costa links.
Xabi Alonso has offered a clear indication that Chelsea are content with their current goalkeeping group, despite recent talk of a move for Porto and Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
The Chelsea boss said he is satisfied with the options already available to him and pointed to the balance of experience and youth in the squad. “I’m very happy with Rob [Sánchez], Mike [Penders] and Teddy [Sharman-Lowe],” Alonso admitted . “Mike is a young goalkeeper that has done a great season at Strasbourg. Rob, he has played many years in the club, in Chelsea , as well as the Premier League , he has experience.
“So to have this security in the goal is important,” Alonso finished.
Those remarks appear to reinforce the idea that Chelsea may be prepared to begin the 2026/27 season without bringing in a new established first-choice goalkeeper. Costa had been mentioned in connection with the club, with the Portugal international long regarded as one of the strongest goalkeepers outside Europe’s top-five leagues. He also impressed for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
Porto’s position has remained firm, with the club saying they would only consider a sale if his $68.7 million (£51 million) release clause is met. Even so, recent speculation has suggested Chelsea have not made an enquiry and are not planning a move at this stage.
The club did explore the possibility of signing Mike Maignan last summer, but that transfer did not come together. Instead, Chelsea continued with their internal options, and that approach now seems to be holding.
Sánchez is expected to start the third consecutive season in goal when 2026/27 begins. He had briefly lost the position to Đorđe Petrović in his first campaign, but improved in 2025/26, even if errors remain part of his profile.
Behind him, Penders remains the understudy. Signed in 2024, the 21-year-old Belgium international has spent the last two seasons on loan, first at Genk and then at sister club Strasbourg.
